If you are a designer, an engineer, or an architect, you probably use AutoCAD every day.
Although, there are thousands of laptops on the market built for this kind of work, choosing one can be somewhat confusing.
Since AutoCAD is a demanding software, it requires a computer with good configuration and powerful graphics to function perfectly.
We don’t know what your budget is. So, for your benefit, we have reviewed some of the best laptops for AutoCAD from high-end to mid-range, which hopefully, makes the process a bit easier.
Without any further ado, let’s take a look at the latest laptops you can buy to unleash the true power of AutoCAD.
Table of Contents
Best Laptops for AutoCAD
1. Asus ROG Zephyrus M15
- Display: 15.6” 1080p
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
This is one of our top picks. If you want to buy the best Laptop for AutoCAD and you’re too lazy to do the research, you can buy this one with your eyes closed.
The laptop comes with an Intel Core i7-10750H Hexa-core Processor. This is the latest 10th Gen processor, so it can definitely handle any applications like AutoCAD with the combination of super-fast 16 GB DDR4 RAM and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q graphics.
This laptop has a 15.6-inch Full HD, 1920×1080, 240Hz 3ms IPS Type Pantone Validated display which is ideal for showcasing visual projects and media. The screen-to-body ratio is 81%. So now you can clearly see every inch of your work without having to zoom in, over and over again.
The storage is 1TB PCIe NVMe type SSD which is enough for storing all of your media and project files.
With this laptop, you can run AutoCAD for a long time (up to 7+ hours) without a hitch. We say this because the laptop comes with special dual 12V fans and ROG Intelligent Cooling thermal system. This means that, even after hours of use, your laptop will still be nice and cool.
This laptop also features an anti-dust technology system with adjustable fan modes, so your laptop will now need less maintenance.
2. Alienware m15 R4
- Display: 15.6” 1080p
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10870H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
One thing that the best laptop for Cad needs to have is good battery life. Without one, using your laptop for long hours becomes quite difficult.
If the main thing you are looking for in an AutoCAD laptop or gaming laptop is good battery life, we would highly recommend this one from Alienware. It comes with a powerful lithium-ion battery with 86Whr, which allows you to game and work nonstop without needing a recharge.
To help you use the laptop for long hours, the unit comes with a unique hexagon pattern. This enhances the airflow and allows you to use the laptop for long hours without worrying about overheating.
As this is a gaming laptop, you get the option to choose any color from the RGB spectrum to light up its external areas. You can see these lights in the rear vents and on the faces of the alien. Also, due to the hyper-efficient voltage regulation, you get unprecedented performance.
This is one of the most lightweight laptops on the market. It is designed to be carried with you anywhere and everywhere you go. Building materials, such as magnesium alloy and copper, make this laptop lightweight and portable enough.
3. MSI GS66 Stealth
- Display: 15.6” 1080p
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
Working for long hours means staring at the screen for long hours. This also means that you need a laptop with a high-quality screen that will soften your eyes.
This laptop from MSI GS66 has a great wide-angle, anti-glare 15.6-inch display that allows you to view your work in detail. That is why this is one of the top choices: you can stare at this screen for hours without damaging your eyes.
With an Intel Core i7 10750H 2.6GHz processor and 16GB of RAM, this laptop can handle high volumes of work without slowing down.
You get the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q for graphics, which is really great because high-quality graphics are necessary for AutoCAD users. This laptop helps you achieve better results with your work because of the great graphics features.
All AutoCAD users love this laptop. It has a great battery life and performs well. If you go with this laptop, you will be able to use it for years without worrying about repurchase or maintenance. Its affordable price also makes this laptop a boon to students, so if you’re a student, this might be the one for you.
4. HP ZBook Create G7
- Display: 15.6” 1080p
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q
- RAM: 32 GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
HP is a brand that is known for its durability and quality. A laptop from HP will last you years, so the expenditure will be worth it.
This laptop has an anti-glare, 15.6-inch full HD display. The display is a narrow bezel unit, and the brightness is 400nits which lets you work in any lighting condition without any problem.
It also features the 10th gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor with a base frequency of 2.60GHz. The max turbo frequency is up to 5.00GHz. The high-speed processor is capable of handling 2D and 3D modeling and other AutoCAD work.
Thanks to its Hexa-core, you can now use this laptop for single-core and multi-core applications. Also, hyperthreading allows you to use the handle for mental ray tracing.
This laptop comes with a powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX RTX 2070 with a Max-Q design. As a result, you get great graphics which, as we said before, are especially important for AutoCAD users.
The whopping 32GB of RAM lets you multitasking and run any apps without lag. In addition, with the 1TB SSD storage, save and store any files without needing external storage.
Also, let’s not forget to mention the fingerprint reader to keep all your work private and protected.
5. Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
- Display: 15.6” 1080p
- CPU: Intel Core Intel i9-10885H
- GPU: Nvidia Quadro T2000 Max-Q
- RAM: 32 GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
Getting a laptop with good storage is always a great idea. It lets you store all your work, current and past, without you having to worry about lack of space.
The top-tier Intel Core Intel i9-10885H processor is efficient and has a speed of up to 5.3Ghz. Also, hyper-threading technology separates the core into 16 threads so that there is an integrated regeneration.
This laptop is different from others on the market because it comes with a professional NVIDIA Quadro T2000 instead of a regular gaming GPU. As a result, you get great graphics which, as we said before, are especially important for AutoCAD users. In addition, this feature makes adding effects and lights to your work so much easier.
To focus on your work better, you have an anti-glare 15.6-inch full HD display with a brightness of 500nits. So we’re talking more vibrant colors and brightness (not too harsh, though). Also, a LED-backlit panel will increase battery life (we always need more battery life!).
Weighing only 3.75 pounds, this is a must-have laptop for architects and designers who are always on the go. Get it!
6. Acer Predator Helios 300
- Display: 15.6” 1080p
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
The Acer predator gaming laptop is a fan favorite amongst AutoCAD users. People love its high-end features, affordability, durability, and portability.
This gaming laptop has the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM. This will make your AutoCAD work much smoother, not to mention your gaming experience.
With this laptop’s 4th Gen AeroBlade 3D fan technology, you won’t have to worry about overheating when you’re using the laptop for long periods of time. Also, keeping your laptop cool helps make it more durable and lets you experience the laptop features to their fullest.
The 144Hz IPS display screen will give you better control over visuals while rendering your work in true colors. Also, the Predator sense key feature will make your work easier as it allows you to customize keys for quicker access.
As a gaming laptop, it has a 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard. The battery life is also good compared to its specs that lasts about 7 hours.
What we don’t like about this laptop is its weight, because we can’t call a 5.51lb laptop portable!
7. Razer Blade 15
- Display: 15.6” 1080p
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
With Razer’s new edge-to-edge design, this gaming laptop is a great budget option for any AutoCAD user. However, if you are a Razer fan, you can also buy it with higher specs.
To help you see the screen better, the laptop has a matte screen. It might not look great under normal lighting conditions (i.e., indoors). However, outdoors, the matte screen is going to be your best friend. The screen also has a 100% sRGB and a 120Hz refresh rate.
This versatile laptop will run AutoCAD with ease. When you’re not working, you can also use this device for hardcore gaming or content creating. This laptop is up for any challenge.
For storage, you get 256GB SSD, which is decent for a laptop at this price. You will still save plenty of large files and apps on this laptop and get good performance.
To keep all your precious documents protected, there is a trio of locking features. In addition, this laptop has Windows Hello facial recognition software, a good-quality webcam and IR recognition feature, and a fingerprint lock. Now that’s some heavy-duty protection!
8. Dell G5 15 Gaming Laptop
- Display: 15.6” 1080p
- CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD+1TB HDD
Dell is not the most inexpensive brand, but their laptops are worth every penny. They perform great under pressure and will last you years.
With its 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H, you will be able to work better and faster. In addition, the smooth operation this laptop provides is exactly what makes Dell a prime choice for AutoCAD users.
A double drive makes sure that you can store all of your files without worrying about storage. And, for ease of work, the Wi-Fi performance has been enhanced, so will you experience fewer interruptions.
This elegant and sleek laptop doesn’t let on to the fact that it’s great for gaming, AutoCAD, and whatever else you have up your sleeve. It looks quite chic and will surely go with anyone’s style.
9. ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop
- Display: 15.6” 1080p
- CPU: Intel Core i5-10300H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD+1TB HDD
This laptop under $1000 has it all. It looks stylish yet simple, so people of any age can use it. It is light and portable and has great battery life. It has all the features that an AutoCAD user looks for in a laptop.
NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX Graphics is a must-have feature in all AutoCAD laptops. Without this feature, creating good-quality designs becomes quite difficult.
Also, this graphic card is what makes this laptop excellent for gaming. Special features include a thin body design and an enhanced screen-to-body ratio.
This laptop’s battery and processor work in harmony to keep the laptop as cool as possible. This keeps the laptop in better health for a longer time and allows you to use it for long stretches.
One minor design flaw is found in the edges: they are a bit too sharp.
10. Lenovo IdeaPad L340
- Display: 15.6” 1080p
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9300H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
We’ve already mentioned our love of good batteries on laptops. The battery life is a vital feature for laptops, especially when you are buying them for AutoCAD.
With the Lenovo IdeaPad, you can run your laptop for hours. This is a great option if you are a student who does not want to carry around a heavy laptop charger. With the right battery life mode selected, this laptop will last through all your classes and then some.
The latest 9th Gen Intel Hexa-Core i7-93000H Processor ensures that you can complete your work twice as fast. This processor also makes the laptop great for occasional gaming – who doesn’t love a laptop that can do both?
The widescreen display is great for AutoCAD users as it allows for better attention to detail, making for great quality and productivity. And the up-to-date built-in Bluetooth provides for an even smoother experience: you can transfer files and connect to all kinds of speakers and devices within seconds.
Finally, the backlit keyboard helps you work in the dark. Not only is this feature helpful, but it also looks great on a laptop.
Best Laptop for AutoCAD: Quick Answers
How much RAM do I need for AutoCAD?
To run AutoCAD smoothly on a computer or laptop, you need at least 4GB of RAM. However, even with 4GB RAM, you won’t be able to use the latest version of AutoCAD. Instead, you will have to use the previous version, which is rarely available.
Is 4GB RAM enough for AutoCAD?
Unfortunately, the software requires a good deal of memory space to function properly; therefore, 4GB is not enough for AutoCAD. For the latest version of AutoCAD, 8 GB is what you’ll need. However, 16 GB will give you a better user experience.
Is i5 enough for AutoCAD?
Depending on the generation. If you are using a fairly newer generation of core i5, then i5 is more than good enough. However, you need at least a 2GB graphics card and 8GB of RAM with the processor. If you have that, you’re good to go.
Is i3 enough for AutoCAD?
The relatively newer generation of i3 will support the software; however, it will not run smoothly, so we don’t recommend it for professional use. Instead, go for the latest processor if you plan for long-term usage.
What should I look for when buying a laptop for architecture?
Most designing software used by architects requires high-end configurations; they require a lot of processing speed, memory space, and graphics. Therefore, it is important to look for software requirements (software creators usually provide them). That way, you can find suitable laptops.
Final Words
We hope this article has helped clear up any confusion you may have had. The laptops listed above are some of the best laptops for AutoCAD currently available. Make sure you take the time to consider each laptop on this list to find the most suitable laptop and buy one according to your job level and budget.
amazing guide and keep it up but there are some laptops that are not available on amazon plz check out them and suggest others…
thanks for this amazing guide